Learning About Fence Materials and Hardware

Welcome to my website. My name is Samuel Vonn. When I moved into a somewhat unfriendly neighborhood, I quickly grew frustrated with my neighbor's lack of courtesy. Instead of prolonging the discomfort, I decided to invest in the tallest fence I could afford. I opted for the six-foot wood fence option with an additional two-foot trellis topper. The fence could not preserve neighbor relations better. During this project, I researched all of the different types of wood used for fences. Although I went with maple as my final choice, visions of exotic inlays throughout danced across my vision. I would like to explore these materials in more detail on this site. I will also discuss fence hardware options. Thanks.

How To Convert Your Backyard Fence Into Your Own Grapevine

Posted on:
9 December 2015

There are many ways that you can enhance and beautify the look of your backyard, especially with plants. A fence can create a plain-looking view in your yard, so why not add a grapevine to your fence that will grow grapes for you each summer and fall? Here are some tips to help you convert your fence into a grapevine trellis and successfully plant grapevines.

Install Grapevine Support on Your Fence

If your backyard fence is made of wood, vinyl, or chain link, you can use it as a foundation to grow your own grapevines and add interest to your fence line. Grapes grow best on any fence that is south or south-west facing as that will give them the most direct sunlight throughout the day. So, choose a fence located in your yard that provides the right environment for growing grapes.

A metal fence will require the least amount of installation to build your grapevine trellis. As grapevines grow, their tendrils will curl around wire fence materials, so a chain link fence in your yard is ready "as-is" to support a growing grapevine.

You can also install your grapevine support directly against a wood fence, using your fence as a foundation on which to build your grape trellis. Attach the grapevine wire trellis directly onto the fence using metal fastener eye bolts. Screw the large metal eye bolts into the posts of your wood fence. Place the eye bolts for the wires on each fence post spaced at heights of two feet and four feet from the ground to create a bottom and top grapevine trellis. Then, string a 12-gauge or larger wire through the eye bolts along your fence to provide support for your vines. Make sure to pull and secure the wire as tight as possible at each fence post.

For a vinyl fence, you can attach a wooden two-by-four to each vinyl fence post with screws. Then, attach the eye bolts positioned at two-foot and four-foot heights to provide the frame for your trellis wire. Then string the wire onto each metal fastener the same as you would with a wooden fence. If you want to avoid damaging your fence from fastener holes, you can attach a fence post bracket around your vinyl fence post and attach the wood post onto the bracket. Then, you can hang and string the trellis wire from the wood post. If you need assistance with this part of the project, consider calling a professional like those at Mr Fence.

Plant Your Vines

When you choose your grapevines to grow along your fence, select one-year-old plants. It is best to plant them in the early spring while the plants are dormant. You will need to soak the roots in a water for two to three hours to bring the plants out of their dormancy.

As you are spacing your plants along your fence trellis at eight-foot intervals, dig a hole for each plant that is 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide. Then, fill the bottom of the hole with four inches of topsoil so the plant's roots don't sit on hard clay. Trim off any dead roots from the grapevine's root ball and set the plant onto the topsoil in the hole. Make sure that the plant is positioned in the hole so it will be buried deeper than it was when you got it from the nursery. Next, cover the roots with six inches of soil and pack it down. Fill the hole with the remaining soil, but do not compress this layer of soil; let it remain loose. Last, water your grape plants.

You will need to train your grapevines to grow along the wire fence trellis. As the vines grow, gently wrap them around the wires and they will entwine themselves around the wires and form a beautiful hanging plant as they grow.